Premiership: rugby union betting predictions, free tips, where to watch & TV

Free rugby union tips, best bets and analysis for Bristol Bears v Northampton Saints in the Premiership on Friday.

Bristol v Northampton

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 7.45pm Friday

Best bet

Bristol to win by one to 12 points
1pt 2-1 Betfair

Match preview

Opening defeats at Sale and at home to Harlequins have extended Northampton’s run to eight successive defeats and they have won just two of their last 15 Premiership games.

So it’s not a good time for them to be heading to Ashton Gate, where Bristol have lost just once in 2020, and that was to champions Exeter in August.

The Bears have covered double-figure handicaps in their last three home victories - the first was against Northampton in September when they ran out 47-10 victors.

However, this one looks likely to be less one-sided with players missing from the hosts’ ranks.

Semi Radrada is captaining Fiji for the first time this weekend, while fly-half Callum Sheedy and Ioan Lloyd are away with Wales.

It’s unlikely that Radrada’s silky skills would have been in display even if he had been available though as the forecast is wet and cold, and this looks set to shape up as a forwards’ slugfest.

Bristol are worthy favourites against a Saints side struggling for confidence and backing a win by no more than 12 points looks the best bet.

The Tri-Nations continues in Sydney on Saturday morning as Australia take on Argentina (Sky Sports Arena, 8.45am). The Pumas have made wholesale changes to their side after last week’s 38-0 defeat to New Zealand, while Australia’s injury woes are easing with the return of fly-half James O’Connor.

The Wallabies are 12-point favourites - five of their last seven home wins over Argentina have been by 11 to 20 points.

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